Suction cleaner



April 1@, 1934 a c. BEKER f 1,953,943

SUCTION CLEANER 5 Sheets=-$heet 1 Filed April 16. 1950 Filed April- 16, 1.939 3 smms shwa 2 Patented Apr. 10, 1934' SUCTION CLEANER Bernard (3. Becker, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application April 16, 1936, scin No. 444,666

, 6 Claims. (Cl. 15-8) The present invention relates. to suction cleaners and particularly to improvements in the suction cleaner construction through the incorporation of which the cleaner is made readily transformable from a machine adapted for use upon a surface covering to a machine for use in cleaning drapes, curtains and similar articles of household furnishings. The invention comprises broadly the provision of a new and novel cleaner 10 construction through the incorporation of which the functional capabilities of the suction cleaner can ,be changed or altered with a minimum of physical exertion and time expenditure.

In suction cleaners which embody the positive agitation principledn which a surface agitating member is rotated by means. of a belt from a pulley connected to the driving motor, it has been necessary, when it was desired to transform the machine from a surface cleaner to a cleaner capable of cleaning objects suspended from the walls, or any article above the level of the floor, to invert the cleaner, remove a bottom housing which forms a part of the air'passage leading from the suction nozzle to the fan chamber inlet,'and to replace that member by a connection which registers directly with the eye of the fan chamber, first having removed the driving belt from the driving pulley. The operation is a common one which is well-known. The memher which replaces the bottom portion of the air passage is connected to a flexible hose called a dusting tool hose at the end of which is a suitable nozzle through which air is drawn by the action of the fan within the fan chamber in the operation of the machine in such a capacity. In a suction cleaner incorporating the present invention it is unnecessary to invert the machine and to detach any parts or to remove the belt in the;

transformation of the machine for use with the dusting tools, it being entirely suiiicient to rotate a readily accessible member which is connected to .a valve within the cleaning passageway which, upon the rotation of the first mentioned member, changes its position, resulting in theclosing of the air passageway between the nozzle inlet and theeye of the fan chamber, and at the same time in the opening of a second passage or inlet. It is then only necessary to attach the cleaner end of the dusting tool hose to this second passageway, and the machine is ready for operation.

It, is an object of the. present invention, therefore, to provide a suction cleaner in which new and novel means are provided for the transformation of the cleaner from a surface cleaner to a cleaner adapted for use with dusting tools. It

I is a further object of the present invention to incorporate into the usual suction cleaner construction without material departure from the constructionthereof, means which are operable from the exterior of the cleaner and which func-v tion to transform the cleaner from a surface cleaner to one adapted for use with dusting tools.

It is a still further object to incorporate a new and novel permanent valve construction in a suction cleaner which is adapted simultaneously to close the air passageway between the nozzle inlet and the fan chamber inlet and to open a second passageway leading to the fan chamber inlet. It is a still further object of the present invention to incorporate in a suction cleaner embodying positive agitation means a permanent air-directive valve at the eye of the fan chamber which controls the source of the air flowing into said fan chamber. Another object is the provision in a suction cleaner embodying positive 75.

agitation means, which are belt driven from a source of power located in the eye of the fan chamber, of means for controlling the direction of air flow entering the fan chamber. Other and more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and considering the drawings annexed thereto. I

In the drawings in which is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention and in which like reference characters refer to like 35 parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a suction cleaner embodying the present invention shown partly' in section. A

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a suction cleaner embodying the present invention with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a section upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 but showing the rotary valve and its actuating means in side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a section upon the line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is the top' plan view of the housing shown in Fig. 4 with the valve removed. i Fig. 6 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrows upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is the bottom view of the valve member as seen when looking in the direction of-the arrows upon the line '77 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, a suction cleaner is disclosed embodying the present invention. The cleaner is of the common. and modern type positive agitation suction cleaner comprising a main casing or casting 10 which forms the suction nozzle 11, the fan chamber 12, and the exhaust outlet 13. The driving motor 14 for the cleaner is supported upon the casing 10 immediately above the fan chamber 12 and upon depending motor shaft 15 the suction creating fan 16 is mounted within the fan chamber 12, which functions, in the operation of the cleaner, to draw air from the inlet or mouth of the nozzle 11, through the circular opening or eye 17 of the fan chamber 12, and exhaust it through the exhaust outlet 13 into a suitable dirt separator or the dust bag which is connected.

thereto but which is not shown in the present drawings. ,The air passageway from the nozzle inlet to the eye of the fan chamber is formed by spaced downwardly extending and rearwardly converging walls 18, 18 formed in the main casting or casing 10. These walls serve to form, at the opposite rearward corners of the nozzle 11 of casing 10, suitable wheel pockets 19, 19 within which the front supporting wheels 20, 20 of the cleaner are suitably mounted. The lower side of the air passage formed by the walls 18, 18 in the casing 10 is closed by a suitable bottom plate 21 as in the usual cleaner construction.

Positioned at the end of the aforedescribed air passage, formed by the walls 18, 18 and the bottom plate 21 and forming a continuation thereof, is the removable housing, indicated generally by the reference character 22, which, in its broad outlines, resembles the usual housingfound in a common type of suction cleaner which performs the function of directing the air in the air passageway upwardly into the eye 1'7 of the fan chamber 12. It is in the new and novel construction of this housing 22 together with the parts which cooperate therewith, that the present invention lies.

Positioned within the housing 22 upon the end of the motor shaft 15 is the driving pulley 23 which is connected, through the belt 24, to the surface agitator 25 which is of a common and well known type and which is rotatably mounted within the suction nozzle 11.- The agitator 25 is adapted to contact the surface covering undergoing cleaning between the nozzle lips 26 and 2'7 and the rear supporting wheels 28, 28 which are positioned below the exhaust outlet 13, are made adjustable relative to the cleaner proper in order that the cleaner may be pivoted about the front supporting wheels 20, 20 to obtain the correct relation between the nozzle lips 26 and 2'7, the agitator 25, and the surface covering undergoing cleaning.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, the present invention is clearly disclosed. The housing 22, a one piece member which is preferably cast, comprises a cylindrical bore or chamber 29, which is itself composed of the vertical cylindrical wall 30 and the conical seat 31 at the base thereof. The forward side of the cylindrical chamber 29 is cut away and open to the converging channel formed by the forward wall of the housing member 22 which forms a continuation of the air passage formed by the walls 18, 18 and the bottom plate 21, as aforedescribed. Positioned centrally of the conical seat 31 and extending downwardly therefrom is an open topped cylindrical housing or well 32 which is formed by the vertical cylindrical wall 33 as is clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6. The cylindrical housing 32 is also open at its forward face or side and is provided with channels, indicated by the reference character 34, for the accommodation of the driving belt from the pulley 23. In the rearward side of the cylindrical wall 30, or that opposite the cut-away section, is provided an opening 35 which extends below the level of the conical seat 31 which is sloped downwardly, as indicated at 36 in Figures 5 and 6, to form a channel leading to the opening. The opening 35 is provided with a rigidly attached connecting member 37 which includes locking means 38 for the ready attachment of the suction cleaner end of a dusting tool hose.

Positioned within the housing member 22 and enclosing a portion of the motor shaft 15 between the pulley 23 and the lower end of the fan 16 is the rotatable valve member indicated by the reference character 39. Member 39 is cylindrical with a cut-away sector of substantially the same included angle as the sector cut from the cylindrical chamber 29, and includes the vertical cylindrical wall 40 of somewhat smaller radius than the vertical cylindrical wall 30 of the member 22; a conical bottom portion 41 which, in the assembled relation of the construction, seats smoothly upon the inner surface of the conical seat 31; and a central or hub portion 42 which encloses the motor shaft 15 in substantially air tight re lation. Surrounding the upper end of the wall 40 of the valve is a flange 43, the outer periphery of which is of substantially the diameter of the inner surface of the perpendicular wall 30 which is, as is clearly shown in Figure 4, slightly greater that the diameter of the inlet 17 to the fan chamber, the relation being such that the upper surface of flange 43 contacts the edge of the fan casing 12 immediately surrounding the inlet 17 while the periphery of the flange contacts the vertical housing wall 30 immediately adjacent thereto, all in substantially air tight or sealed relation.

On the underside of the flange 43 outside the vertical wall 40 of the valve member are depending gear teeth forming a rack, indicated by the reference character 44, and which are adapted to coact with the toothed pinion 45 which is positioned adjacent the vertical wall of the chamber 23 in order that the valve 39 may be rotated. Pinion 45 is carried upon a rotatable shaft 46 which is itself mounted in a suitable bearing 47 formed on the side of the housing 22 and is provided at its end, which extends outwardly and parallel to the bottom of casing 10, with a knurled knob 48 which is manually rotatable.

The opposite extremities of the vertical wall 40 of valve member 39 are enlarged or thickened forming vertical shoulders as shown at 49, 49 which extend outwardly the width of the flange 43 and into sealing contact throughout the height of the enclosing vertical wall 30 of the chamber 29. The ends of flange 43 extend beyond the shoulders 49, 49 forming tongues 50, 50, as is clearly shown in Figure '7, which function to provide a greater area of contact for the valve member with the housing 22 and the fan chamber 12 to prevent its disalinement.

The housing 22 totally encloses the valve 39 and supports it in place, and the central hub portion 42 of the valve which closely surrounds the motor shaft extends slightly into the cylindrical pulley-enclosing housing or well 32 making sliding contact with the wall thereof while the conical seat 41 of the valve rests upon the interior conical surface 31 of the chamber 29. The housing 22 is itself removably secured upon the suction cleaner at its forward end by means of the spaced spring-pressed detents 51, 51, which cooperate with suitable recesses in the rear walls of the wheel pockets of the casing 10, and by the latching means 52 carried on the bottom of casing 10 which overlies and retains the lug 53 formed integrally on and extending rearwardly from the housing 22.

in which position it opens toward the front of the machine permitting the air to enter from the nozzle inlet and passageway and into the inlet 17 of the fan chamber 12. With the valve so positioned the opening 35 in the rear of the housing 22 is separated and sealed from the inlet 17 of the fan chamber 12 through the cooperation of the following surfaces in substantially air tight or sealed relationship; the conical portion 41 of the valve 39 with the conical seat 31 of the chamber 29; the flange 43 of the valve with-the edge of the fan chamber surrounding the inlet 17 and also with the wall 30 of the chamber 29 immediately adjacent thereto; and the line contact made by the shoulders 49, 49 of the cylindrical wall 40 of the valve member 39.with the vertical wall 30 of the chamber between the conical seat 31 and the edge of the fan chamber surrounding the inlet 17.

When it is desired to use dusting tools with the suction cleaner embodying the present invention -it is only necessary to attach the cleaner end ofthe dusting tool hose to the member 3'? where it is retained by the securing means 38. The operator needs then only to rotate the knob 48 which in turn rotates the shaft 46 and the pinion 45 which cooperates with the rack 44 formed on the bottom of flange, 43 resulting in the rotation of the valve member 39 about the motor shaft 15 as an axis. The rotation of the valve 39 continues until the pinion reaches the opposite end of the rack and contacts the vertical shoulder 49 at the end thereof. In this last position the valve member 32 opens towards the rear of the machine having changed its position substantially 180 degrees and permits a direct passage through the housing 22 to eye 17 for the air intering from the dusting tool hose by way of the member 37 and the opening 35. With the valve in this position the air passageway leading from the mouth of the nozzle is entirely sealed from the eye of the fan chamber through the cooperation of the contacting surfaces described for the first position plus the cooperation of the hub portion 42 of the valve which prevents air from the nozzle air passage entering by way of the well-32 which is open in it.

It is to be noted that the present invention comprises a construction which may readily be added to the ordinary suction cleaner now in use,

it being necessary only to remove the common housing which outwardly resembles the housing 22 and to position the valve 39 on the motor shaft after which the housing 22 can be positioned as aforedescribed.

From the foregoing it is clear that the present invention comprises a simple and novel construction which is readily adapted for inclusion in the ordinary suction cleaner which can be altered to include it with ease. The incorporation of the present invention eliminates the necess ties of disconnecting any of the usual parts of the suction cleaner in order that the dusting tool hose may be connected and comprises a construction which through its ease and reliability of operation is of the'utmost usefulness.

1; In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, a fan casing having an inlet, a passageway connecting said nozzle to said inlet, a second passageway connected to said inlet and to said first passageway at said inlet, said passageways forming a chamber, a seat in said chamber, a rotatable valve seated in said chamber and making sliding contact with the casing surrounding said inlet, and

means to rotate said valve to selectively seal oneof said passageways from said inlet, said means comprising a toothed rack positioned on said valve, a rotatable pinion positioned in said chamber and contacting said rack, and means outside said chamber to rotate said pinion. I

2. In a suction cleaner a fan casing having an inlet, a plurality of passageways open to said inlet, a chamber formed at the junction of said passageways at said inlet, said chamber comprising a cylindrical wall enclosing said inlet and a seat opposite said-inlet, a depending well formed in said seat, a rotatable shaft extending through said inlet and into said well, power-transmitting means connected to said shaft in said well and positioned in one of said passageways, and a rotary valve closely enclosing said shaft in said chamber above said well and contacting saidcylindrical wall and said seat, said valve adapted to cooperate with said cylindrical wall and said seat to selectively seal one of said passageways from said inlet.

3. In a suction cleaner, suction-creating means including a fan chamber having an inlet, a nozzle, a passageway connecting said nozzleto said inlet, a second passageway having a center line in substantially the same plane as the center line of said first-mentioned passageway and leading to said inlet, the junction of said passageways at said inlet forming a chamber, a driving shaft extended through said inlet from said fan chamber into said chamber, a cup valve having a cutout portion in its side enclosing said'shaft in all positions and seated in said chamber and adapted to be rotated to close selectively said passageways from said inlet, a pulley on said shaft immediately below said valve in said chamber, a powertransmitting belt connected to said pulley and extended through said first-mentioned passageway to said nozzle, and a rotary agitator in said nozzle said chamber. 4

5. In a suction cleaner, a fan chamber having an inlet, a fan in said fan chamber having a shaft extending therefrom thru said inlet, a valve chamber formed adjacent said inlet, a valve positioned in said valve chamber rotatable about said shaft as an axis, and having a side facing said inlet, -said shaft extending thru said valve, but ending within said valve chamber, a plurality of passageways leading to said valve chamber, and open thereto between said inlet and the side of said valve facing said inlet, power-transmission means extending along one of said passageways and connected to said shaft beyond said valve from said inlet, said valve making contact with said valve chamber to seal said passageways from one another and being shaped to connect one of .said passageways to said inlet.

chamber at a point beyond said valve from said inlet, said valve and valve chamber cooperating to seal the junction of said power-transmission means and said shaft save from the passageways thru which said power-transmission means extends, and means to rotate sa id valve to selectively connect one of said passageways to said fan chamber thru said inlet.

BERNARD C. BECKER. 

